Blog - SA Investments

Africa is home to a consumer class whose spending outstrips India’s, and it will soon have double the number of smartphone connections than North America. Yet poverty remains widespread, as do infrastructure gaps, fragmented markets, and regulatory complexity. By recasting challenges as a spur for innovation, and unmet market demand as room for growth, business leaders can help their companies, and the continent, to thrive.

De Toren Private Cellar, boutique Stellenbosch wine producer, is pleased to confirm the new majority ownership – one with an ambitious strategic vision. The deal that was agreed on will see this acclaimed wine producer being injected with newfound passion and energy.

Following Founder, Emil den Dulk’s recent announcement that he is stepping out into the wings, De Toren is excited to introduce you to its new shareholder base.

As Daniel Mueller, CEO of the Swiss-based De Toren Holding AG tells us, the deal, which was signed at the end of March 2018 in Berne, Switzerland, started with a pitch to the former owner on 6 December 2017 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

“We have a few very interesting and challenging monthsbehind us during which time we basically conducted aninternational corporate finance deal, but coupled witha lot of emotions,” says Daniel Mueller.

With a shared passion for the meticulous art of winemaking, the new generation of shareholders are Cedric Nicolas Schweri, Daniel Robert Mueller and Cape Estate AG, while stalwart Albie Koch retains his shareholding in De Toren and remains as its Managing Partner.

“The new shareholders picking up the baton are set touphold De Toren’s unfailing commitment to quality andmeticulous winemaking that has firmly established it onthe world’s wine map,” says Albie Koch.

Cedric N. Schweri is a Swiss-born entrepreneur who has lived abroad for more than 10 years of his life while running several hotels as an F&B Manager. Amongst other investments he currently owns and operates restaurants and hotels across South America and Europe. Cedric is also a very passionate and successful polo player, and enjoys pursuing his passion when staying at his South African residence in the Val de Vie estate outside Franschhoek.

He says: “We see great growth opportunities and assureyou that it will be business as always, with new youngblood and newfound energy being injected. The existingDe Toren team remains within their current positionsand are very excited about the new times ahead.”

Daniel R. Mueller, an esteemed investment banker for the past 25 years, acquired vast experience while working in New York, London and Zurich. The deal between the new shareholders and the Den Dulks was, to a great extent, facilitated by Daniel himself. He is also of Swiss descent, but after more than 20 years travelling back and forth to South Africa, it has become his second home. In August 2018, this was made official when Daniel and his fiancé decided on a part-time relocation to South Africa. This will enable him to be actively involved in the management of De Toren Private Cellar.

Albie Koch, a more familiar name, has been with De Toren from day one as the estate’s very first winemaker. Albie eventually took over the day-to-day responsibilities of running the business in a management capacity. He retains his shareholding in De Toren and remains as Managing Partner overseeing all of the estate’s activities.

Finally, Cape Estate AG, a Swiss company with various interests in South Africa, completes the new shareholder base. They acted as the introductory part of the association.

De Toren South Africa will be operated by a newly formed Swiss company called De Toren Holding AG. Cedric Schweri will be Acting Chairman of this holding entity, while Daniel Mueller will operate as its CEO.

Says Daniel: “We’re inheriting an award-winning brandwith a stellar Bordeaux-styled portfolio that has captivatedpalates around the globe. Upholding the high standardsthat our predecessors have set is a task we take to heart.We are committed to continuing the legacy of De Toren,expanding the vision and taking the story even further.”

Cross border M&A transactions are always subject to additional complexities and challenges due to the differences in the regulatory and legislative frameworks, as well as the language and cultural differences.

On March 31, 2017, it was announced that Zaad Holdings Limited (“Zaad”), a subsidiary of Zeder Investments Limited (“Zeder”), concluded agreements for the acquisition of a 35% stake in the Turkish company, May-Agro Tohumculuk Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi (“May Seed”), with the option to acquire the remaining 65% of the company in time. The 35% interest would be achieved partly through the acquisition of shares from the existing shareholders and partly through the subscription for new shares in May Seed (in order to capitalise the company).

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